Family court is formally known as the Family Division of Superior Court, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch. Family Division hears cases involving juveniles and family relationships. Most family cases are heard in judicial district courthouses. Typical cases include:

Divorce

Child custody

Child support

Relief from abuse (temporary restraining orders)

Child abuse and neglect

Termination of parental rights

Juvenile delinquency

Cases involving juveniles are heard in the Juvenile Matters subdivision.

WHAT IS JUVENILE COURT? (also called Superior Court for Juvenile Matters)

Juvenile Matters is a special subdivision of Superior Court designed to protect the rights of children, family relationships and confidentiality. There are twelve Juvenile Courts statewide. All court documents are confidential and court hearings are closed to the public. All juvenile court cases either involve care of the minor child or the child’s behavior. Children are those under 16 years old, youth are age 16 up to age 18. Cases in juvenile court include:

termination of parental rights or removal of guardian transferred from the Probate Court

emancipation of a minor

delinquency (crimes committed by children under age 16)

neglected or uncared for children and youth

families with service needs (FWSN) (a family with a child under age 16 who has bad behavior)

WHAT ARE FAMILY RELATIONS COUNSELORS?

Each judicial district has Family Relations counselors to assist the court in family matters. The Family Relations counselors are trained to resolve custody and visitation disputes, and they also may be involved in helping to resolve financial disputes. The counselors are appointed by the judges of the Superior Court and are empowered to investigate any circumstance of a family matter that may be helpful or material to the disposition of a case.

2-1-1 is a program of United Way of Connecticut and is supported by the State of Connecticut and Connecticut United Ways.

Central Intake/Assessment for Substance Use Disorder

Substance Use Disorder Programs that serve as an intake for agencies which evaluate individuals who are in need of substance use services and are directed to the number of subsidized beds that may be available in the community. Some programs may also offer medical detoxification services for people who need them.